Dear Cathedral Family,I hope you all are enjoying the warmer temperatures and the "slower" pace of life that starts happening in these parts this time of year. Even though we do not have a consecration for a new bishop this summer, we at the Cathedral do have plenty of events. We are excited about the coming of the new steeple and the two summer music programs. Our formation and youth activities continue this month as well.

This month, our youth will enjoy two events: Bay Bears Baseball and Raise the Roof. Our youth will gather with youth from other area Episcopal Churches for a night of baseball, fellowship, food, and fun. Youth, be on the lookout for an email from Canon Wagner. The Raise the Roof event is a multi-day event, happening from June 26 through July 1. Dauphin Way UMC and St. Paul's Episcopal Church sponsor this housing program that helps residents of the South Broad Street area of Mobile with roof repairs. The program helps homeowners without family or financial resources to make the repairs themselves. Groups from out of town participate in this program; however, there is a week called "Love Local" because this is the week that local youth from Mobile serve. The cost is $60 that includes meals and a t-shirt. Our youth will get the hands on experience of doing mission work, without leaving our community and they will be able to sleep in their own beds. I hope you will support and pray for our youth who will be participating.

You may have noticed that the Vacation Bible School Wishing Well has returned to the chapter house. That means VBS is upon us! Thank you all for supporting this ministry of the church. This year, our VBS program is Egypt: Joseph's Journey from Prison to Palace. Participants are invited to "spend a while on the Nile." VBS will take place June 7 through 9, with setup happening after church on June 5, and Monday, June 6. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities. If you would like to assist us, please contact Alison Mitchell or me. Parents and grandparents, I hope you will bring your children and grandchildren to our VBS. Let's all spend some time on the Nile.

A final happening of note is the upcoming diocesan acolyte festival. It takes place here at the Cathedral on August 20. Bishop Russell will be here. So, too, will youth acolytes from throughout the diocese. We will have training sessions, fellowship, lunch, and a Eucharist service. It is an honor for us to host this event. At last year's consecration service, it was a joy to work with the youth acolytes and to see them serve as one unit, even though they were vested differently and from different churches. I look forward to seeing many different acolytes on our campus!

So go ahead and enjoy your downtime, but remember, there is much going on at the Cathedral. Please pray for our youth and support them. Please also pray for our VBS leaders and participants. Have a great June everyone and I hope to see you at church!